Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Bellevue City Council met on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, public comments, reports, and several key decisions on the 2027-2028 preliminary budget, including transportation funding, fire station replacement, human services allocations, sustainability investments, and use of council contingency funds. The meeting lasted until approximately 8:35 PM with a break.
Good evening, everyone. Thanks for being here and for taking the time to engage in the work of our beautiful city. Your voice matters, and we are so glad you're here. City Clerk, please do the roll call. Thank you, Mayor Malikuti. Here. Deputy Mayor Hamilton. Councilmember Bargava. Here. Councilmember Newman House. Councilmember Robinson. Here. And Councilmember Simadoria. Councilmember Breyer is not here this evening. Thank you so much. Councilmember Somodavirio, would you please lead us in the flag salute? Sure, thank you, Mayor. I pledge liberty. Thank you so much. It is going to be read by Deputy Mayor Hamilton. Can I please invite uh Ginger Chien, the leader of the Bellevue and Eastide chapter of PFLAG and advisor to ESIT Pride and PNW to sit here after he's done, we would love to hear from you. Thank you. Please go ahead. Thank you, Mayor. Whereas transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people contribute to Bellevue's culture and community, enriching the city's diversity and fostering greater understanding, inclusion, and respect. And whereas an estimated 2.1 million adults in the United States identify as transgender, representing approximately eight tenths of a percent of the adult population, according to research published by the Williams Institute in 2025. And whereas transgender and non-binary people continue to face discrimination, barriers to opportunity, and acts of violence, underscoring the importance of awareness, acceptance, and efforts to ensure the safety and dignity of all people. And whereas observed annually from November 13th to 19th, transgender awareness week raises visibility and promotes education about the experiences and contributions of transgender and non-binary communities, encouraging greater understanding and support. And whereas first observed in 1999, following the 1998 death of Rita Hester, a black transgender woman, transgender day of remembrance is observed annually on November 20th to honor transgender and gender nonconforming people whose lives have been lost to violence and to encourage reflection, compassion, and remembrance. And whereas the City of Bellevue reaffirms its commitment to fostering a welcoming community where every person is treated with dignity and respect through its recognition of transgender day of remembrance and community observances honoring those lost to violence. Bellevue stands in solidarity with transgender and non-binary residents, families, and neighbors. Now, therefore, I, Dave Hamilton, on behalf of Mo Malikutian, Mayor of Bellevue, Washington, and the City Council, do hereby proclaim November 13th to 19th, 2026 as Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance in Bellevue, Washington, and encourage all residents to participate in observances and activities that promote understanding, visibility, remembrance, and respect for transgender and non-binary people in our community. Thank you so much, Deputy Mayor Ginger. Welcome. Thank you, Mayor, Council members. It's been a long time since I've had the opportunity to come speak before you on a day like today. It's deeply meaningful to me because I myself, as a Bellevue resident and transgender woman, I have a lot of experience and deep thoughts on this subject. You know, I was thinking exactly what I would say today. And I think it is going to be reflective of the pace of change in the world. And it really is our choice as a community. How we choose to include and give that sense of belonging to people who exist within our midst, or whether we choose to make them invisible. And a proclamation like this is symbolically meaningful in that you choose not to be silent, you choose to give that acknowledgement and to acknowledge the harm that trans people and non-binary people, and more broadly, LGBTQ people, anyone and anyone who is deemed different in a way that makes a larger community uncomfortable.